True Colors Part 1
SPACE Thomas Fuller once wrote: "All fame is dangerous: Good, bringeth Envy; Bad, Shame." Isn't that the truth? My past is a prime example of his words coming to an undeniable realization that I may have been on top, but now I am paying for what I have done. I've lost my sister… I've lost my respect… and now I've lost my best friend; my brother. He wants my blood… and why? Is it jealousy? Could Eric be right about Michael Diamond all along? Was I just a ladder for him to climb to the top… and now that he is there, he no longer needs me? If that were the case, what is this 'Justice' he keeps referring to? Does he not share the same love I have after all of these years? My heart is now broken; like a young boy losing his puppy; his best friend… his companion. My fame led me here… and now I must reap what I sow.
It was another warm day but inside me was cold as if a nor'easter was circling my heart in a constant rotation. The sun was bright; I could hardly shield my eyes as I approached my front door with my key aimed at the lock. As I went to insert the metal key, the doorknob twisted and opened from inside. Standing there was Mark Crow, a well-formed butler in the making dressed in a 2-piece outfit smiling politely. His hair was combed and parted; personally I thought he looked like an idiot, but anything beats what he used to wear as a hairstyle. I smiled back politely.
Danny Starr: Hello, Mark…
Mark Crow: Good day, Sir Starr.
I walked in and took the sunglasses off my ears at which they were resting on and folded the arms before inserting them into the front pocket of my gray over-shirt.
Danny Starr: Any phone calls? Messages? Mail?
Mark Crow shut the door behind me as I sat down in my prized leather recliner. I sat comfortably, although remained in posture as I looked at Mark for a response.
Mark Crow: Miss Copelin stopped by to see you, but she had just missed you.
Danny Starr: Damn… when was she here?
Mark Crow: Literally 5 minutes ago. Also, you received a message from Sir Eric Rayne. He demands to speak to you as soon as possible.
Danny Starr: What was the tone of his voice.
Mark Crow: What?
Danny Starr: Did he sound mad?
Mark Crow: What do you mean?
Danny Starr: Jesus Christ, Mark… Did he seem angered in ANY way??
I became annoyed by his incapability to understand what I was asking. I looked at him waiting for a response when I saw his eyes started to water up remaining silent after my outburst.
Mark Crow: I'm a TERRIBLE butler!!
I was stunned to see Mark Crow actually start crying and having a tantrum right they're in front of me. Stomping and whipping his tears off his face like a little baby.
Mark Crow: I'm the worst!
Danny Starr: No, Mark! You're not!
I got up and ran to his aid as he attempted to give me a hug… Fine… I'll go along with it… Whatever shuts him up?
Danny Starr: There, there… you're a FINE butler…
Mark sniffles as he pulls away from my grasp and looks at me in the eyes.
Mark Crow: You mean it?
Danny Starr: Of course I mean it!
Mark finally calms down and pats me on the shoulder…
Mark Crow: Thanks, Danny… I won't let you down…
Danny Starr: Okay, so did Eric sound… irritated when he called?
Mark Crow: When is he not irritated?
So true… I walked away from him to find my black cordless phone laid on my coffee table. I asked Mark for a glass of red wine to accompany me as I sat back down in the chair dialing Eric Rayne's number. As I awaited Eric's voice to pick up on the other phone, Mark Crow emerged from my left side with a fresh class of red wine like I had requested. I nodded and said 'Thank you' as I took my first delicious sip. It tasted like heaven. It was my second sip in when Eric's voice appeared saying:
Eric Rayne: Quite punctual, Danny… it's only 4 hours after our scheduled phone meeting.
Danny Starr: I'm sorry, Eric. I was out to lunch with Syren.
Eric Rayne: Discussing HWA I presume?
Danny Starr: Mostly.
Eric Rayne: Quite interesting Survival that past, I must say.
Danny Starr: Quite.
Eric Rayne: Tell me, Danny… how do you feel about Michael Diamond's actions?
Danny Starr: I'm hurt and disgusted by them…
Eric Rayne: I see. So why is it that you refuse to seek vengeance on a person who is going to treat you like an animal instead of a supposed brother?
Danny Starr: There has to be a reason he is doing this… I never…
Eric Rayne: You know the reason, already… Danny.
Danny Starr: Eric… You've been there for me regardless of my status or rank. It's just; you have to understand where I'm coming from.
Eric Rayne: It's a cruel world, Danny. It's a world filled with liars, 2-faces, and snakes in high grass. It's the snakes you have to worry about… I don't see any reason Michael Diamond would turn on you if you were truly his brother… so what do you think, Danny?
Danny Starr: Perhaps someone gave him the wrong information?
Eric Rayne: Perhaps you're in denial.
Danny Starr:…
Eric Rayne: Look, Danny… I'm not telling you what to believe, I'm just your guide… you make your own mistakes and learn that way. I am offering you the truth… you can run and hide from the snakes, Danny… but if you don't fight back, they'll eventually stick their venomous fangs right in your backside…
Danny Starr: So what should I do?
Eric Rayne: I understand you love Michael… but what is the point in loving something or someone who doesn't give a damn about you in return?
Danny Starr: (Sigh)
Eric Rayne: You decide. However, I am curious on what your motives were when you created the two matches you were granted to book on the next Survival.
Danny Starr: I think you'll be pleased with my reason.
Eric Rayne: It's quite out of the ordinary, I must say… Please tell me why you would give Nate Hartman an opportunity to win the International Championship against your colleague Kevin Conner by making the special guest referee Michael Diamond.
Danny Starr: A little bird told me Nate Hartman's entire motive for returning to the HWA is to prove I am not who I appear to be.
Eric Rayne: Right…
I quickly took a sip from my wine glass.
Danny Starr: It's quite funny Michael Diamond seems to have the exact motive.
Eric Rayne: So you are throwing Kevin Conner to the wolves?
Danny Starr: Michael Diamond is playing the good guy… trying to make it look like I'm a bad person… a distrusting person. Although he is supposed to have a respectful relationship with Kevin Conner, let's see how evenly he referees the match…
Eric Rayne: Very good, Danny. Exposing him… a perfect opportunity to blow him out of the water and show the immediate crowd who, in fact, IS the backstabber. You are beginning to learn the ways of High Society.
Danny Starr: It's merely a test. I want to see whom Michael Diamond has changed into as a person… if he fails, I'll know the truth…
Eric Rayne: Very smart move… I'm proud of you. What about teaming with Syren against Bigg Money and Dylan Wolfe?
Danny Starr: That's simply child's play, my dear friend.
Eric Rayne: Explain…
Danny Starr: Both Dylan Wolfe and Bigg Money seem to have a lot to say, even after both Syren and I left them on their backs in the middle of the ring… This is just a little break for her and myself…
Eric Rayne: Bigg Money's words were quite harassing.
Danny Starr: I wasn't that harassed…
Eric Rayne: I meant to the English dictionary. It's quite amusing watching this child make a complete ass out of himself by getting in front of a camera and beating up a bunch of smaller guys like a low budget karate film although he can hardly land a punch in the HWA.
Danny Starr: Which is why on Survival, if one W on my side isn't enough… Syren and I will leave both Bigg Money and Dylan Wolfe embarrassed to show their faces in HWA arenas ever again.
Eric Rayne: So what's the motive?
Danny Starr: There is no motive…
Eric Rayne: You have this entire plan to expose Michael Diamond's true colors in an outstanding pre-thought out stipulation… and there is NO motive for your match with Bigg Money and Dylan Wolfe?
Danny Starr: ….No, I guess not…
Eric Rayne: Well, I must say… I liked your idea about Kevin Conner and Nate Hartman a lot better.
I took another gulp of the wine, no longer sipping.
Danny Starr: Yeah… after that, I was spent.
Eric Rayne: Well, look… I have an appointment with Jared.
Danny Starr: Tell him I said Salutations.
Eric Rayne: Will do… and Danny, one more thing…
Danny Starr: Yes, Eric?
Eric Rayne: If Michael Diamond takes Nate Hartman's side in the main event... What will you do?
Danny Starr: Let's take one step at a time, Eric. I'll talk to you soon, my friend. Ta-ta.
I clicked the off button after ending the conversation with Eric Rayne. After placing the phone back on the coffee table, which I had found it, I lifted my glass to see it was near its end. I swallowed what was left and rose to my feet. I walked towards my front window with my hands behind my back as I looked out to see a black Mitsubishi Eclipse pull in through my main gates. It parked at the door opened…
TO
BE CONTINUED…
